As part of a Lego robotics project, we have been diving into the complexities of plastic pollution, and in doing so, we found ourselves facing a bitter reality - the vast amount of waste generated in our Troy School District cafeterias. Much of our waste is rooted in the overuse of plastic and food waste. Reducing these would greatly impact our total waste production and the devastating result, of plastic pollution.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, nearly a third of the food that is produced worldwide - more than 1 billion tons - is wasted (https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/114803 We have seen that students are offered trays of food without being asked what they want to eat. Many students throw away some of their food even before they go to their seats. Asking students what they plan on eating and then serving them, would save this food from being wasted. The excess food can be donated. If we have a mobile app or website where students can inform the school if they plan on eating breakfast or lunch and what they will be eating, a week in advance, the school district can reduce the amount of food being purchased and save money. The money saved can be invested in purchasing compostable plates and cutlery instead of the current single-use plastics being used.

We believe that change is possible through education and smarter choices. We are calling on the Troy School District to implement measures to reduce plastic use and food waste in our cafeterias. With this change, we can begin to unbind our future from plastic and waste.

We are asking for your support, for the sake of our environment and future generations. Please, sign our petition. We the students of Lego Robotics League 66480 Cosmic Creators will present this petition to the School Board. Together we can create change in Troy School District cafeterias, reduce our environmental impact, and move with steps towards a more sustainable world.